22 June 2007, by Marco Pereira

Benfica splash out for Paraguayan hotshot Oscar Cardozo

Miccoli agent reopens door for return

Benfica have officially announced the signing of Paraguayan striker, Oscar Cardozo.

The 24-year-old cost the club just over nine million euros, for 80% of his rights, and has signed for the next five seasons.

Cardozo becomes the club’s second highest transfer in their history, after Simao Sabrosa was purchased from Barcelona in 2001 for 13 million euros.

Cardozo, who is on duty with the Paraguay national team for the upcoming Copa America, joins Fabio Coentrao and Marco Zoro as Benfica’s new signings this transfer period.

Miccoli’s agent claims Italian may stay at Lisbon club

Fabrizio Miccoli might be retuning to Benfica after all as confirmed by his agent, Francesco Caliandro.

It was expected that Benfica fans had seen the last of their beloved striker, but now the Italian’s agent has confessed that his client is not discounting a return to the Lisbon giants.

“At this moment I have to admit that there exists negotiations regarding Miccoli’s return to Benfica and I think we can admit there is an accord in principal. A loan deal or a permanent deal are the two possibilities that we are continuing to evaluate.”

It was believed that a possible return was all but ruled out after comments made by Juventus coach, Claudio Ranieri, and the player himself, with both claiming the best option would be for the pint-sized marksman to remain in Italy.

But now the comments made by the Italian international’s agent has thrown Miccoli’s situation into confusion once again.

“He has not hidden his wish to remain in Italy, for personal reasons. But Benfica is a club that remains very close to his heart,” added Caliandro. “We will wait, but at this moment, the probability of Miccoli returning to Lisbon is strong.”


Related: Juventus dash Benfica’s Miccoli hopes